Jay Lewis Waybright, 93, of Littlestown, passed away early Sunday morning, February 1, 2026, in inpatient hospice care at Gettysburg Wellspan Hospital. His wonderful caregivers and daughter could see him reaching and smiling. His family of Saints was extending a warm invitation to Jay’s forever home.
Jay was born March 31, 1932, to Lida Mae (Rohrbaugh) Waybright and Willis Oliver Waybright, we think on the family farm, just south of Gettysburg. He was recently cared for and loved on 24/7 by a team of twelve compassionate family members and folks who have a calling to serve those who can no longer take care of themselves. They knew him like a book. They knew not to run out of milk for his Honey Nut Cheerios, and they knew when he was looking for a cookie, he would open the kitchen cupboard doors. Jay would hardly ever refuse a dish of Jello after lunch … his caregivers knew when he needed a break from his word search book.
Jay worked on the family dairy farm early on. He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy “Dottie” M. Musselman on June 17, 1951, at St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg. They shared the loss of two daughters early on, but were blessed to raise four daughters and enjoyed 71 years of marriage.
Jay later worked a bit for Small’s Auto Parts and for Bupp’s Dairy, both in Hanover. He retired in April 1997 from Mid-America Dairymen, Inc., having served them for 28 years.
Jay could fix or build just about anything he set his mind to. Now the process might have taken a while, but always a job well done! He handmade family Christmas gifts for many years – quilt racks, clothes trees, deluxe framed state quarters’ collections. Other family needs included a swing set, a clothesline or two, house porches, outdoor critter boxes, etc. We asked & it was produced. Jay took much pride in his lawn & property care.
Jay and his wife, Dottie, enjoyed square dancing with the Gettysburg Cannonaders and treasured the friendships they made with those folks. Jay & Dottie involved the whole family in growing an annual small truck patch, and the family reaped the consumable benefits of fresh corn, potatoes, tomatoes & more. Jay was a life/longtime member of Grace Lutheran in Two Taverns until its 2018 closure. Jay and his family served as sextons of Grace for many years. Jay served as adult Sunday School Superintendent, Treasurer, and more.
Jay is survived by daughters, Susan (Paul) Krumrine (Hanover), Lori Gouker (Littlestown), Scherry (Lynn) Bream (East Berlin); grandchildren Justin, Jodi, Kelly, Amber, Jayson, and Rose; great-grandchildren Kaili, Collin, Makenzie, Cassidy, Charlotte, Lucas, Sophia, and Kohen.
In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by his wife Dottie; two infant daughters, Sharon Diane (’53) and Karen Sue (’55); and his daughter, Wanda Bucher (’86).
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Brandenburg & Stein Funeral Parlor, 3045 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, with Pastor Steven Thomas officiating. A viewing will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday evening and again at 10 AM Friday morning prior to the 11:00 am chapel service. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or to a charity of your choosing.
www.gettysburgfunerals.com
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